Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy on Friday expressed his gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on behalf of the people of the state for approving the Mamnoor Airport project in Warangal.
The Chief Minister also extended his thanks to Union Civil Aviation Minister K. Ram Mohan Naidu and the Airports Authority of India (AAI) for their support in facilitating the approval.
Persistent Efforts for the Project
During an interaction with the media at the Congress headquarters, Gandhi Bhavan, Revanth Reddy stated that he had been consistently following up on this matter with the Prime Minister and had also made a formal request to Ram Mohan Naidu.
Following these efforts, the Civil Aviation Minister granted approval for the development of Mamnoor Airport, which is expected to significantly enhance regional air connectivity in Telangana. This decision was made possible after GMR Hyderabad International Airport Limited (GHIAL) provided a one-time waiver of the exclusivity clause.
A Strategic Boost to Regional Connectivity
Highlighting the potential of Warangal, Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu stated, “Warangal has immense potential to become a major regional hub. We are committed to ensuring this project moves forward swiftly, creating new opportunities for trade, tourism, and employment.”
State’s Commitment to the Project
In a letter to Ram Mohan Naidu on November 5, 2024, Chief Minister Revanth Reddy reaffirmed the state's support for developing Mamnoor Airport under the UDAN scheme, in partnership with AAI.
The state government has already initiated the land acquisition process, allocating ₹205 crore for 280.30 acres to accommodate Airbus 320 and Boeing 737 category aircraft, according to a statement from the Ministry of Civil Aviation.
GHIAL Waiver Enables Swift Progress
Responding to the state's request for expedited action, Minister Naidu secured a No-Objection Certificate (NOC) from GMR Hyderabad Airport, confirming the waiver of the 150 km exclusivity restriction under Clause 5.2 of the concession agreement. However, this waiver applies only to Mamnoor Airport and will not affect future projects within the exclusivity zone.
AAI Begins Infrastructure Planning
With regulatory approvals in progress, the AAI has begun infrastructure planning, ensuring a smooth development process.
A Game-Changer for Telangana
The operationalization of Warangal Airport is expected to be a game-changer for Telangana, fostering regional development, boosting tourism, and creating new trade opportunities.
"This airport is more than just infrastructure – it’s a gateway to growth and prosperity for Warangal and beyond," Minister Ram Mohan Naidu added.
